Carry-signal controlled led light with low power consumption and led light string having the same

ABSTRACT

A carry-signal controlled LED light with low power consumption includes at least one LED and a drive unit. The drive unit is coupled to the at least one LED, and receives a carry light signal to control the at least one LED. The drive unit includes a light control unit. The light control unit drives the at least one LED according to a light command content of the carry light signal. When a voltage of the carry light signal is less than a low-level voltage, the light control unit enters an eco mode, and the light control unit detects and identifies signals within a time interval. After the time interval, the light control unit enters a sleep mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuing application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/444,284, filed on Jun. 18, 2019, and entitled “CARRY-SIGNALCONTROLLED LED LIGHT WITH LOW POWER CONSUMPTION AND LED LIGHT STRINGHAVING THE SAME”, which claims priority to CN201910384047.5 filed on May9, 2019. The entire disclosures of the above applications are allincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an LED light and an LED light string,and more particularly to a carry-signal controlled LED light with lowpower consumption and an LED light string having the same.

Description of Related Art

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and do not necessarily constituteprior art.

Since light-emitting diode (LED) has the advantages of high luminousefficiency, low power consumption, long life span, fast response, highreliability, etc., LEDs have been widely used in lighting fixtures ordecorative lighting, such as Christmas tree lighting, lighting effectsof sport shoes, etc. by connecting light bars or light strings inseries, parallel, or series-parallel.

Take the festive light for example. Basically, a complete LED lampincludes an LED light string having a plurality of LEDs and a drive unitfor driving the LEDs. The drive unit is electrically connected to theLED light string, and controls the LEDs by a point control manner or asynchronous manner by providing the required power and the controlsignal having light data to the LEDs, thereby implementing variouslighting output effects and changes of the LED lamp.

With the progress of the technology, the carrier manner can be utilizedfor the control signal having the light data to transmit the lightsignal through the power line. The functions of providing power and datatransmission can be achieved by the same circuit structure to simplifythe layout design, reduce the volume of the circuit, and benefit thedesign of the control circuit.

The drive unit mainly provides a light control signal with a highvoltage level and a low voltage level to drive the LED light string. Fordriving the LED light string, if the LED light string includes more ofthe numbers of the LED lights in series, since the connection linesconnecting the LEDs are thicker and longer, the parasitic capacitance ofthe LED light string increases so that the speed of the systemprocessing the signals is not fast enough. Thus, the possibility ofdetermining the light signal incorrectly increases. If effectivelyavoiding the LED light string interpreting/decoding the light controlsignal incorrectly is required, the speed of the light control signal atthe high voltage and low voltage transition has to slow. However, thisresults that the number of the lights driven by the LED light string isless and/or the speed of changing lights/colors slows.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which shows a schematic waveform of a lightcontrol signal of an LED light string in the related art. FIG. 1 showstwo waveforms of light control signals including a first waveform Cv1and a second waveform Cv2. The abscissa indicates time t and theordinate indicates input voltage Vin, and a low-level voltage Vlow and areset voltage Vreset are labeled. The low-level voltage Vlow means avoltage for identifying a low level of the light control signal, and thereset voltage Vreset means a voltage for resetting the LED. Take thesecond waveform Cv2 for example, the second waveform Cv2 is the naturaldischarge of the light control signal. Therefore, the existing problemof the second waveform Cv2 is that when the parasitic capacitance of thecircuit is too large, the discharge time is longer, resulting that whenentering the next cycle, the second waveform Cv2 still cannot reach thelow-level voltage Vlow so that the light control signal cannot beidentified as the low level (namely, the light control signal iscontinuously determined as the high level voltage). At this condition,only increasing the width between two cycles (so the natural dischargeis able to reach the low-level voltage Vlow) achieves the identificationof the low-level voltage Vlow. However, such control manner is onlysuitable for less numbers of the LEDs in series in the LED light string(better control effect can just be achieved). In other words, since thecomplete light control signal cannot be achieved by rapidly discharging,such control manner cannot be suitable for more numbers of the lights(for example, over hundreds of the numbers of the lights) in series.That is, all of the numbers of the lights in series able to receive thecomplete light control signal cannot be ensured.

Accordingly, a rapid discharge circuit can be utilized to control thelight control signal to rapidly reduce the voltage level of the lightcontrol signal, or the LED light string having lesser circuit totalparasitic capacitance easily reduces the voltage level of the lightcontrol signal rapidly, such as the first waveform Cv1 shown in FIG. 1.However, when the light control signal rapidly reduces, the lightcontrol signal easily happens that: after the light control signal islower than the identifiable low-level voltage Vlow (for example, at thetime point t2), the light control signal still rapidly reduces so thatthe light control signal reaches the reset voltage Vreset (for example,at the time point t3) so that the circuit happens unnecessary resetfailure, resulting in the abnormal determination and malfunction of theLED module.

The related art utilizes a set of signal voltage generation circuit onthe control circuit to clamp the voltage so that the voltage does notreduce to be the reset voltage Vreset. However, eventually the circuitsof such related art are complicated. Therefore, the inventor of thepresent disclosure would like to provide a simple circuit to solve theproblem that how to design a carrier controlled LED light and the LEDlight string having the carrier controlled LED light for solving thevoltage of the light control signal reaching the reset voltage due totoo small parasitic capacitance which results in the abnormaldetermination and malfunction problems of the LED module.

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a carry-signalcontrolled LED light with low power consumption to solve determinationabnormality and malfunction of the LED module since the light drivesignal reduces to reach to the reset voltage by using simple applicationcircuits.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the carry-signalcontrolled LED light with low power consumption incudes at least one LEDand a drive unit. The drive unit is coupled to the at least one LED. Thedrive unit receives a carry light signal to control the at least oneLED. The drive unit includes a light control unit. The light controlunit drives the at least one LED according to a light command content ofthe carry light signal. When a voltage of the carry light signal is lessthan a low-level voltage, the light control unit enters an eco mode, andthe light control unit detects and identifies signals within a timeinterval. After the time interval, the light control unit enters a sleepmode.

In one embodiment, before entering the sleep mode, the light controlunit enters a work mode when the voltage of the carry light signal isgreater than the low-level voltage.

In one embodiment, after entering the sleep mode, the light control unitleaves the sleep mode when the voltage of the carry light signal isgreater than the low-level voltage.

In one embodiment, the drive unit further includes an oscillator. Theoscillator is coupled to the light control unit. In the eco mode, theoscillator receives a control signal, and the oscillator is controlledby the control signal to be in an oscillation operation at low power.

In one embodiment, the drive unit further includes a latch unit and anoscillator. The latch unit is coupled between an input side and anoutput side inside the LED light. The oscillator is coupled to the lightcontrol unit and the latch unit. In the eco mode, the latch unit and theoscillator receive a control signal, and the oscillator is controlled bythe control signal to be disabled and the latch unit is controlled bythe control signal to be in a timing operation.

In one embodiment, the drive unit further includes a current detectionunit. The current detection unit is coupled to the light control unitand produces the control signal.

In one embodiment, the latch unit is a charging and discharging circuitwith a resistor and a capacitor.

In one embodiment, the latch unit is a timing circuit.

In one embodiment, the drive unit further includes an address signalprocess unit. The address signal process unit is coupled to the lightcontrol unit and memorizes a light address. The address signal processunit receives an address signal transmitted from the light control unitand compares the address signal with the light address. When the addresssignal matches the light address, the light control unit drives the atleast one LED according to the light command content of the carry lightsignal.

In one embodiment, the drive unit further includes an address burn unit.The address burn unit is coupled to the address signal process unit. Thecarry light signal includes a burn start signal and a burn addresssignal. When the address burn unit receives the burn start signal, theaddress burn unit writes the light address into the address signalprocess unit according to a burn command content of the burn addresssignal.

In one embodiment, the drive unit further includes a discharge unit. Thedischarge unit is coupled to the current detection unit. When thedischarge unit receives the carry light signal transmitted from thecurrent detection unit, the discharge unit starts to discharge a DCworking power.

In one embodiment, the drive unit further includes a power capacitor.The power capacitor is coupled to the light control unit, the latchunit, and the at least one LED.

Accordingly, the carry-signal controlled LED light with low powerconsumption is provided to effectively reduce power consumption of theanalogy circuits with relatively high power consumption and to make theLED module normally operate.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a carry-signalcontrolled LED light string to solve determination abnormality andmalfunction of the LED module since the light drive signal reduces toreach to the reset voltage by using simple application circuits.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the carry-signalcontrolled LED light string includes a power line, a controller, and atleast one LED light. The controller is coupled to the power line. TheLED light is coupled to the controller through the power line, andreceives the DC working power and the carry light signal transmittedfrom the controller through the power line.

In one embodiment, the controller includes a rectifier unit, a switch,and a control unit. The rectifier unit is coupled to the power line andprovides the DC working power. The switch is coupled to the power lineand the at least one LED light. The control unit is coupled to therectifier unit and the switch. When the control unit turns on theswitch, the DC working power forms a power supply loop for the LED lightthrough the power line. When the control unit produce the carry lightsignal, the control unit continuously turns on and turns off the switchaccording to the light command content of the carry light signal so thatthe DC working power of the power line forms a plurality of a pluralityof pulse waves to be combined into the carry light signal, and transmitsthe carry light signal to the LED light through the power line.

In one embodiment, the controller further includes a discharge circuit.The discharge circuit is coupled to the power line and the control unit.When the switch is turned off, the controller drives the dischargecircuit to receive the DC working power and to start discharging the DCworking power.

In one embodiment, the controller further includes a voltage adjustcapacitor. The voltage adjust capacitor is coupled to the power line.When the switch is turned off, the voltage adjust capacitor provides theDC working power to the at least one LED light.

Accordingly, the carry-signal controlled LED light string is provided toeffectively reduce power consumption of the analogy circuits withrelatively high power consumption and to make the LED module normallyoperate.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended toprovide further explanation of the present disclosure as claimed. Otheradvantages and features of the present disclosure will be apparent fromthe following description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The present disclosure can be more fully understood by reading thefollowing detailed description of the embodiment, with reference made tothe accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic waveform of a light control signal of an LED lightstring in the related art.

FIG. 2A is a block circuit diagram of a drive system of a carry-signalcontrolled LED light string according to a first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a block circuit diagram of the drive system of thecarry-signal controlled LED light string according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a detailed circuit diagram of a power conversion circuit anda control circuit according to a first embodiment in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3B is a detailed circuit diagram of the power conversion circuitand the control circuit in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3C is a detailed circuit diagram of the power conversion circuitand the control circuit according to a second embodiment in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 is a schematic waveform of a light drive signal according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram of an LED module according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram of the LED module according to asecond embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of an oscillator according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic waveform of operating a latch unit according tothe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe thepresent disclosure in detail. It will be understood that the drawingfigures and exemplified embodiments of present disclosure are notlimited to the details thereof.

Please refer to FIG. 2A, which shows a block circuit diagram of a drivesystem of a carry-signal controlled LED light string according to afirst embodiment of the present disclosure. The drive system of thefirst embodiment includes a power conversion circuit 10, a controlcircuit 20, and an LED (light-emitting diode) light string 30. The powerconversion circuit 10 and the control circuit 20 may be integrated intoa controller 100.

Specifically, the controller 100 may be implemented by a physicalcircuit control box including the power conversion circuit 10 and thecontrol circuit 20. The power conversion circuit 10 receives an AC powerVac and converts the AC power Vac into a DC power Vdc. The DC power Vdcis across an output capacitor (not labeled) connected at outputterminals of the power conversion circuit 10.

The control circuit 20 receives the DC power Vdc to supply the requiredDC power for the control circuit 20 and the LED light string 30. Thecontroller 100 is coupled to the AC power Vac and the LED light string30 through a power line Lp. Broadly speaking, the power line Lp is notlimited by the labeled indication in FIG. 2A. As long as the power linecan be used as a line for transmitting AC power Vac or the DC power Vdc,it should belong to the power line Lp. For example, an electricalconnection between the AC power Vac and the power conversion circuit 10,an electrical connection between the control circuit 20 and an anodeterminal of the LED light string 30, or an electrical connection betweenthe control circuit 20 and a cathode terminal of the LED light string30. In one embodiment, the LED light string 30 includes a plurality ofLED modules 31, 32 . . . . , 3 n (also refer to the LED light). The LEDmodules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n are connected in series and electricallyconnected to the control circuit 20. In one embodiment, the LED lightstring 30 is a light string having data burning function, and thereforeeach of the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n has own digital and analogcircuits for burning light data and address data, the detaileddescription will be made as follows.

The control circuit 20 can receive external light control data Secthrough a wired manner or a wireless manner as well as read internallight data stored inside the control circuit 20 so that the controlcircuit 20 can control each of the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n ofthe LED light string 30 according to the content of the light controldata Sec. For example, the user may operate a computer through the wiredmanner to transmit the light control data Sec to the control circuit 20so that the control circuit 20 controls the LED modules 31, 32, . . . ,3 n according to the light control data Sec. Alternatively, the user mayoperate a mobile phone or a wearable device through the wireless mannerto transmit the light control data Sec to the control circuit 20 so thatthe control circuit 20 controls the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 naccording to the light control data Sec. However, the present disclosureis not limited by the above-mentioned manners of transmitting the lightcontrol data Sec and the devices operated by the user.

Please refer to FIG. 2B, which shows a block circuit diagram of thedrive system of the carry-signal controlled LED light string accordingto a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The major differencebetween the second embodiment and the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2Ais that the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n of the LED light string 30are electrically connected in parallel and electrically connected to thecontrol circuit 20 in the former (i.e., the second embodiment).Therefore, the control circuit 20 and the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3n are directly supplied power by a DC power Vdc for example but notlimited to a battery unit. In comparison with the first embodiment shownin FIG. 2A, the absence of the power conversion circuit 10 is to omitconverting the AC power Vac into the DC power Vdc. Similarly, the LEDlight string 30 is a light string having data burning function, andtherefore each of the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n has own digitaland analog circuits for burning light data and address data, thedetailed description will be made as follows.

Please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, which show detailed circuitdiagrams of a power conversion circuit and a control circuit in FIG. 2Aand FIG. 2B, respectively. The power conversion circuit 10 includes afuse FUSE, a varistor VAR, an input resistor R10, an input capacitor C1connected to the input resistor R10 in parallel, and a full-bridgerectifier composed of a plurality of diodes D11-D14. The fuse FUSEprovides an over-current protection for the power conversion circuit 10,and the varistor VAR provides an over-voltage protection for the powerconversion circuit 10. The input resistor R10 and the input capacitorC11 are coupled between the fuse FUSE, the varistor VAR, and thefull-bridge rectifier, and excess energy can be absorbed by the inputcapacitor C11 so as to adjust a total voltage for supplying the LEDlight string 30. The AC power Vac is rectified into the DC power Vdc bythe full-bridge rectifier, and the DC power Vdc is across an outputcapacitor C2 connected at output terminals of the power conversioncircuit 10.

The control circuit 20 includes a control unit CONR, an output controlswitch Qsw, and a work voltage generation circuit. The control unit CONRis coupled to the output control switch Qsw and the work voltagegeneration circuit. The output control switch Qsw receives the DC powerVdc and the output control switch Qsw is turned on or turned off by thecontrol unit CONR to connect or disconnect the DC power Vdc to the LEDlight string 30. In one embodiment, the output control switch Qsw iscoupled to an anode terminal of the LED light string 30, and the outputcontrol switch Qsw is a p-channel MOSFET and coupled to the control unitCONR through a resistor R23. In another embodiment, the output controlswitch Qsw may be coupled to a cathode terminal of the LED light string30, and the output control switch Qsw is an n-channel MOSFET and coupledto the control unit CONR through the resistor R23, and therefore theequivalent characteristics of the circuit can be achieved.

In one embodiment, the work voltage generation circuit includes aresistor R22, a capacitor C21, and a Zener diode Dz. The capacitor C21is connected in parallel to the Zener diode Dz, and then connected tothe resistor R22. The Zener diode Dz receives the DC power Vdc throughthe resistor R22, and clamps the DC power Vdc in a fixed voltage valuefor providing the required work voltage to the control unit CONR. Thepresent disclosure is not limited by the architecture of the workvoltage generation circuit shown in FIG. 3A, that is, as long as thecircuit architecture capable of achieving the function of generating theworking voltage should be included in the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Please refer to FIG. 3C, which shows a detailed circuit diagram of thepower conversion circuit and the control circuit according to a secondembodiment in FIG. 2A. In comparison with FIG. 3A, the control circuit20 further includes a voltage adjust unit 24. The voltage adjust unit 24can be a quick discharge circuit for quickly discharging the DC workingpower to supply the LED light string 30. Alternatively, the voltageadjust unit 24 is a voltage adjust capacitor for slowly discharging theDC working power to supply the LED light string 30.

If the voltage adjust unit 24 is the voltage adjust capacitor, thevoltage adjust unit 24 is coupled in parallel to the LED light string 30for slowly discharging the DC working power to supply the LED lightstring 30 according to the capacitance value of the voltage adjustcapacitor.

If the voltage adjust unit 24 is the quick discharging circuit, thevoltage adjust unit 24 is coupled to the output control switch Qsw, theLED light string 30, and the control unit CONR, and the voltage adjustunit 24 is controlled by the control unit CONR. When the control unitCONR turns off the output control switch Qsw; the control unit CONRcontrols an output voltage, i.e., a voltage outputted from the LED lightstring 30 by a discharging manner, or controls the quick dischargingcircuit (i.e., the voltage adjust unit 24), or controls a quickdischarging circuit (not shown) inside each of the LED modules 31, 32 .. . . , 3 n so as to quickly reduce a voltage of the DC working poweroutputted to the LED light string 30. The control unit CONR turns on theoutput control switch Qsw according to the predetermined time to restore(increase) the output voltage outputted to the LED light string 30, andproduces a light drive signal according to the received light controldata Sec so that the LED light string 30 operates in an illuminationmode according to the light drive signal.

On the contrary, if no light drive signal is transmitted to the LEDlight string 30, the control unit CONR turns on the output controlswitch Qsw so that the DC power Vdc (i.e., the DC working electricity)supplies power to the LED light string 30 through the output controlswitch Qsw. Accordingly, as long as the output control switch Qsw isturned off or turned on, the light drive signal and the supplying powercan be both transmitted to the LED light string 30 under the samecircuit architecture.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which shows a schematic waveform of a lightdrive signal according to the present disclosure. As mentioned above,when the control unit CONR turns off the output control switch Qsw, thevoltage outputted from the LED light string 30 is reduced by thedischarging manner so as to provide a low-level voltage of a light drivesignal Vd for each of the LED modules 31, 32 . . . . , 3 n of the LEDlight string 30. Alternatively, the quick discharging circuit (notshown) inside each of the LED modules 31, 32, . . . 3 n is controlled toquickly reduce the voltage generated from a light signal voltagegeneration circuit to provide the low-level voltage of the light drivesignal Vd for each of the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n of the LEDlight string 30. In particular, three modes are provided to control theLED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n in the present disclosure. The firstmode is a work mode, the second mode is an eco mode, and the third modeis a sleep mode. Therefore, the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n cannormally operate and meet the requirement of low power consumption.

The work mode means that internal circuits, including analog circuitsand digital circuits in each of the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n cannormally operate. In order to achieve the purpose of low powerconsumption, the eco mode first operates, and then the sleep modeoperates. The purpose of the eco mode is to first turn off (disable) theanalog circuits with higher power consumption. The cooperationconsideration between the oscillator and the digital circuits isnecessary, however, the analog circuits except the oscillator or theanalog circuits involving the oscillator are first turned off (disabled)in the eco mode to significantly reduce more power consumption andmaintain the normal operation of the digital circuits, and thereforesignal detection and signal recognition can normally work. In the ecomode, the oscillator is controlled to be in an oscillation operation atlow power without turning off. After the signal detection and signalrecognition is completed, the oscillator is turned off to enter thesleep mode. Accordingly, it is to avoid unnecessary reset failure of thecircuits to cause determination abnormality and malfunction of the LEDmodule 31 since the light drive signal Vd quickly reduces to reach tothe reset voltage Vreset during the quick discharging operation.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, and also refer to FIG. 3A. Before thetime point t11, the output control switch Qsw is controlled to be turnedon by the control unit CONR, and therefore each of the LED modules 31,32 . . . . , 3 n is in the work mode. At the time point t11, the outputcontrol switch Qsw is controlled to be turned off by the control unitCONR. At this condition, the light drive signal Vd quickly reduces. Atthe time point t12, the light drive signal Vd reaches to the low-levelvoltage Vlow so as to identify that the light drive signal Vd is aproper drive signal for driving the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n (thefollowing description is based on the LED module 31). However, in orderto avoid unnecessary reset failure of the circuits to causedetermination abnormality and malfunction of the LED module 31 since thelight drive signal Vd gradually reduces to reach to the reset voltageVreset, it is to enter the eco mode at the time point t12. The analogcircuits except the oscillator or the analog circuits involving theoscillator are first turned off (disabled) to significantly reduce morepower consumption. Moreover, in order to maintain the normal operationof the digital circuits and the oscillator, the signal detection andsignal recognition must be completed within a time interval T, and thenit is to enter the sleep mode at the time point t13, therebysignificantly reducing power consumption of the LED module 31. The timeinterval T means a time interval between the time point t12 and the timepoint t13, for example but not limited to, a time length of several (3or 4) clock cycles. Therefore, after the time point t13, the oscillatoris completely turned off so that the power consumption of the LED module31 is minimized. Accordingly, it is not only to optimize the low powerconsumption but also to avoid causing abnormal conditions since thelight drive signal Vd reduces to reach to the reset voltage Vreset. Atthe time point t14, the output control switch Qsw is controlled to beturned on by the control unit CONR, and therefore the voltage level ofthe light drive signal Vd is restored. At this condition, since thevoltage level of the light drive signal Vd is greater than the low-levelvoltage Vlow, it is to leave the sleep mode and enter the work modeagain in the next cycle.

FIG. 4 further shows the light drive signal Vd with a narrow-widthcycle, for example but not limited to 1 microsecond. In comparison withthe narrow-width cycle, a wide-width cycle between the time point t11and the time point t14 is about 3 microseconds. The difference betweenthe narrow-width cycle and the wide-width cycle is that the voltagelevel of the light drive signal Vd is restored before the time intervalT has ended (i.e., before entering the sleep mode) in the former. Atthis condition, since the output control switch Qsw is controlled to beturned on by the control unit CONR, the voltage level of the light drivesignal Vd is restored to enter the work mode again, thereby avoidingcausing abnormal conditions since the light drive signal Vd reduces toreach to the reset voltage Vreset.

Please refer to FIG. 5, which shows a block circuit diagram of an LEDmodule according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Asmentioned above, since the LED light string 30 is a light string havingdata burning function, each of the LED modules 31, 32, . . . , 3 n hasown digital and analog circuits for burning light data and address data.For example, a light control unit 311 is responsible for controllingillumination, an address signal process unit 312 is responsible forprocessing address signal, and an addressing burn unit 313 isresponsible for burning address. Take the LED module 31 shown in FIG. 5for example, and the remaining LED modules 32, . . . , 3 n have the samecircuit topologies and will not be described again. The LED module 31,i.e., the LED light includes a voltage stabilizer 41, an oscillator 42,an address and data identifier 43, a logic controller 44, a shiftregister 45, an output buffer register 46, a drive circuit 47, anaddress register 48, an address comparator 49, an address memory 50, anaddress burn controller 51, a burn signal detector 52, a signal filter53, a discharge unit 54, a current detector 55, and a latch unit 56.

The discharge unit 54 implements a function of discharging by turning onand turning off the power switch. The current detector 55 may be avoltage-dividing network for dividing the received voltage to detect thecorresponding current value. By the way, the light control unit 311includes the above-mentioned address and data identifier 43, logiccontroller 44, and shift register 45. The light control unit 311 drivesthe LEDs according to a light command content of the carry light signal.In particular, the light command content is specific identified encodedcontent corresponding to luminous behaviors of the LEDs, such as colorchange, light on/off manner, light on/off frequency, etc. The addresssignal process unit 312 includes the above-mentioned address register48, address comparator 49, and address memory 50. The addressing burnunit 313 includes the above-mentioned address burn controller 51 andburn signal detector 52.

By the way, since the LED module 31 shown in FIG. 5 is applied to thein-series connection shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A, the voltagestabilizer 41 is necessary for voltage regulation and voltagestabilization. If the LED module 31 is applied to the in-parallelconnection shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B, the voltage stabilizer 41 isunnecessary. The operations of the remaining circuits are the same inFIG. 5. Since the LED module 31 shown in FIG. 5 operates by a pointcontrol manner, the LED module 31 includes the address signal processunit 312 and the addressing burn unit 313 for processing (includingdetermining, memorizing, burning, etc.,) address data. That is, theaddress register 48, the address comparator 49, the address memory 50,the address burn controller 51, the burn signal detector 52 areinvolved. In other words, if the LED module 31 operates by a synchronouscontrol, the address signal process unit 312 and the addressing burnunit 313 can be omitted, that is, only the light control unit 311 withprocessing light data is necessary.

In the above circuit, the difference in signal characteristics can bedivided into analog circuits and digital circuits. The voltagestabilizer 41, the oscillator 42, the address burn controller 51, theburn signal detector 52, and the discharge unit 54 belong to the analogcircuits, and others belong to the digital circuits. In differentembodiments, however, the address burn controller 51 and the burn signaldetector 52 may be implemented by both the analog circuit and thedigital circuit. In comparison with the low power consumption of thedigital circuits, the analog circuits, including the voltage stabilizer41, the oscillator 42, the light control unit 311, the address signalprocess unit 312, the addressing burn unit 313, and the discharge unit54 are the circuit components with relatively high power consumption ofthe LED module 31. Therefore, the features of the present disclosurefocus on both effectively reducing the power consumption of the analogcircuits in the eco mode and the sleep mode and normally operating theLED module 31, as explained below.

The voltage stabilizer 41 receives an input voltage and regulates andcontrols the received input voltage to provide a stable output voltage.The oscillator 42 produces a periodic clock signal as a time referencefor the light control unit 311, the address signal process unit 312, andthe addressing burn unit 313 normally and orderly operating. The addressand data identifier 43 is coupled to the oscillator 42. The logiccontroller 44 is coupled to the address and data identifier 43. Theshift register 45 is coupled to the logic controller 44. The outputbuffer register 46 is coupled to the shift register 45 and the drivecircuit 47. The drive circuit 47 is coupled to a plurality of LEDs.

The address register 48 is coupled to the logic controller 44. Theaddress comparator 49 is coupled to the logic controller 44 and theaddress register 48. The address memory 50 is coupled to the addresscomparator 49. The address burn controller 51 is coupled to the addressmemory 50. The burn signal detector 52 is coupled to the address memory50 and the address burn controller 51. The signal filter 53 is coupledto the address and data identifier 43, the voltage stabilizer 41, andthe oscillator 42.

The light drive signal Vd produced from the control circuit 20 istransmitted to the LED module 31, and then is filtered by the signalfilter 53, and then is provided to the address and data identifier 43for identifying. The address and data identifier 43 identifies out theaddress data and the light data of the light drive signal Vd, and thenthe address and data identifier 43 transmits the address data and thelight data to the logic controller 44. The logic controller 44 transmitsthe address data to the address register 48. However, it is not limitedto the present disclosure. The address data identified from the addressand data identifier 43 may be transmitted to the address register 48 bythe address and data identifier 43.

The address comparator 49 receives the address data of the addressregister 48, and also receives the local address data stored in theaddress memory 50. Afterward, the address data are compared with thelocal address data. If the address data are identical with the localaddress data, it means that the light data received by the logiccontroller 44 are the light control data of the LED module 31. At thiscondition, the address comparator 49 notifies the logic controller 44 totransmit the light data to the drive circuit 47 through the shiftregister 45 and the output buffer register 46 for driving the LEDs. Onthe contrary, if the address data are not identical with the localaddress data, it means that the light data received by the logiccontroller 44 are not the light control data of the LED module 31, butthe light control data of any one of the LED modules 32 . . . . , 3 n.

When the burn signal detector 52 detects a burn start signal, the burnsignal detector 52 notifies the address burn controller 51. At thiscondition, the address burn controller 51 starts to receive burn addressdata and then burns the burn address data into the address memory 50 sothat the local address data are stored in the address memory 50.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which shows a block circuit diagram of the LEDmodule according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Incomparison with the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the LED module 31further includes a latch unit 56, the remaining circuits are the same inFIG. 5. The latch unit 56 is coupled between an input side and an outputside inside the LED module 31. The latch unit 56 is used to replace theoscillator 42 in the sleep mode so that the LED module 31 cancontinuously perform the signal detection and signal recognition. In oneembodiment, the latch unit 56 may be an analog charging and dischargingcircuit composed of a resistor and a capacitor.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of how the present disclosureachieves reducing power consumption and saving energy. Please refer toFIG. 4, when the light drive signal Vd reaches to the low-level voltageVlow (at the time point t12 or time point t22 shown in FIG. 4), thecurrent detector 55 produces the control signal Sc. At this condition,the analog circuit with relatively high power consumption of the LEDmodule 31 such as the voltage stabilizer 41, the oscillator 42, theaddress burn controller 51, the burn signal detector 52, and thedischarge unit 54 are controlled by the control signal Sc to enter theeco mode, thereby reducing the main source of power consumption. The ecomode can be regarded as a first stage control mode to reduce powerconsumption. However, since the operation of the digital circuits isclosely related to the oscillator 42 and in order to ensure that thedigital circuit can perform its necessary operation, the oscillator 42is then controlled to enter to the sleep, which can be regarded as asecond stage control mode to reduce power consumption. Specifically, twoembodiments are proposed to reduce the power consumption of theoscillator 42 in the eco mode. The first one is that the oscillator 42is controlled to be in an oscillation operation at low power withoutturning off, and the second one is that the oscillator 42 is replaced bythe charging and discharging circuit.

Please refer to FIG. 7, which shows a schematic circuit diagram of anoscillator according to the present disclosure, and also refer to FIG.5. In terms of control accuracy, the best manner is to use theoscillator 42 to produce the periodic clock signal as the timereference. However, in order to have requirements of accurate controland low-power consumption, the specific design of the oscillator 42 isprovided to implement the low-power oscillation in a first embodiment.The oscillator 42 shown in FIG. 7 includes a plurality of invertersIn11-In22, a resistor Ro, and a capacitor Co. However, the connectionthereof is for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limitthe present disclosure. The inverters In11-In22 are CMOS transistorcircuit inverters. The design of different transistor sizes and thecontrol of enabling and disabling are implemented to achieve theaccurate control and low power consumption. For example, but not limitedto that the size of the inverter In12 and the size of the inverter In22are smaller than that of the inverter In11 and that of the inverterIn21, respectively. Further, the inverter In11 and the inverter In21 arecontrolled by the control signal Sc.

When the oscillator 42 normally operates, i.e., the LED module 31 is inthe work mode (before the time point t12 shown in FIG. 4), the invertersIn11-In22 are enabled. At this condition, the oscillator 42 operates ata full-power condition to provide a clock signal. When the light drivesignal Vd reaches to the low-level voltage Vlow (at the time point t12shown in FIG. 4), the control signal Sc produced from the currentdetector 55 controls the inverter In11 and the inverter In21 to bedisabled, at this condition, the inverter In12 and the inverter In22 arestill enabled. Alternatively, the inverter In12 and inverter In22 may becontrolled by the control signal Sc to be disabled, but the inverterIn11 and the inverter In21 are still enabled. Accordingly, theoscillator 42 can be controlled by the control signal Sc to be in anoscillation operation at low power, thereby ensuring that the digitalcircuit can perform its necessary operation and implementing the lowerpower consumption of the oscillator 42. Until the LED module 31completes the signal detection and signal recognition within the timeinterval T between the time point t12 and the time point t13 shown inFIG. 4, the oscillator 42 is turned off to enter to the sleep mode afterthe time point t13. However, the connection relationship, the number,the size, and the signal control manner of the inverters In11-In22 arefor illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the presentdisclosure.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which shows a schematic waveform of operating alatch unit according to the present disclosure, and also refer to FIG.6. In order to respond the light drive signal Vd with wider width (forexample but not limited to 6 to 8 microsecond) as a latch signal forending the signal recognition, a latch unit 56 is provided as shown inFIG. 6. The latch unit 56 is used to make end the signal recognitionbeing correct to avoid too early turning off the oscillator 42 to causethe digital circuits to be out of order and malfunction. Moreover, inorder to early turn off the oscillator 42 with relatively high powerconsumption to achieve low power consumption, the latch unit 56 havingcharging and discharging functions is proposed by a resistor-capacitorcharging and discharging circuit, thereby replacing the timing functionof the oscillator 42. As mentioned above, for the light drive signal Vdwith 3-microsecond or 1-microsecond cycle width (as shown in the firsttwo cycle signals in FIG. 8). Since the first two cycle signals are notlatching signals, a discharge voltage Vdis is greater than apredetermined latch voltage Vlatch, wherein the discharge voltage Vdisis provided by discharging operation through a capacitor of the latchingunit 56. Alternatively, a charging operation of the capacitor of thelatch unit 56 may be provided to achieve the similar determination. Atthis condition, a latch determine signal Slatch is low level, and theoscillator 42 can operate at low power in the eco mode and be turned offin the sleep mode, thereby implementing lower power consumption.

When the light drive signal Vd is the latching signal with 6-microsecondto 8-microsecond cycle width (as shown in the third cycle signal in FIG.8), the discharge voltage Vdis is equal to or less than the latchvoltage Vlatch at the time point t1 since the discharging time of thecapacitor of the latch unit is longer. At this condition, that latchdetermine signal Slatch is transited from the low level to the highlevel. Moreover, by continuously discharging the capacitor of the latchunit 56, it is to ensure that the light drive signal Vd as the latchingsignal to be normally detected and controlled after the oscillator 42 isturned off. Until the time point t2, since the output control switch Qswis controlled to be turned on by the control unit CONR, the voltagelevel of the light drive signal Vd is restored. At this condition, sincethe voltage level of the light drive signal Vd is greater than thelow-level voltage Vlow, the latch determine signal Slatch is transitedfrom the high level to the low level, and therefore it is to leave thesleep mode and enter the work mode again in the next cycle.

However, the detection and control of the latching signal are notlimited by comparing the discharge voltage Vdis with the latch voltageVlatch. Alternatively, a predetermined time length is set for latchingoperation of the latch unit 56. For example, the latch unit 56 may beimplemented by a timing circuit. Therefore, when the predetermined timelength reaches or exceeds, the latching operation of the latch unit 56is activated to meet the requirement of low power consumption.

In conclusion, the present disclosure has following features andadvantages:

1. In the same architecture, the light drive signal and the powersupplying source are both transmitted to the LED light string.

2. The quick discharging circuit inside each of the LED modules isprovided to quickly reduce the voltage level of the light drive signalto ensure that all in-series LEDs are completely controlled.

3. The simple application circuits are provided to solve determinationabnormality and malfunction of the LED module since the light drivesignal reduces to reach to the reset voltage.

4. It is to effectively reduce power consumption of the analogy circuitswith relatively high power consumption and to make the LED modulenormally operate.

5. The LED module operates by the point control or by the synchronouscontrol, and therefore to increase flexibility and convenience ofdesigning the control circuit and implement diverse lighting effects andchanges of the LED lamp.

6. The specific design of the oscillator is provided to implement thelow-power oscillation, provide the clock signal, and ensure that thedigital circuit can perform its necessary operation before theoscillator enters the sleep mode, thereby achieving the lower powerconsumption of the oscillator.

7. The charging and discharging time design and the predetermined timedesign of the latch unit ensure that the light drive signal as thelatching signal to be normally detected and controlled, therebyachieving the lower power consumption of the oscillator.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the presentdisclosure is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutionsand modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, andothers will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, allsuch substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced withinthe scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A carry-signal controlled LED light with lowpower consumption, comprising: at least one LED, and a drive unitcoupled to the at least one LED, the drive unit configured to receive acarry light signal including a plurality of pulse waves to control theat least one LED, the drive unit comprising a light control unit and anoscillator, and the light control unit configured to drive luminousbehaviors of the at least one LED according to a light command contentof the carry light signal, wherein the light command content is specificidentified encoded content corresponding to the luminous behaviors,wherein when a voltage of the carry light signal is less than alow-level voltage, the light control unit entering an eco mode viaturned off analog circuits with higher power consumption which exceptthe oscillator or related to the oscillator first, and the light controlunit configured to detect and identify signals within a time interval,and wherein a time length of the time interval is a plurality of clockcycles; after the time interval, the light control unit entering a sleepmode.
 2. The carry-signal controlled LED light in claim 1, whereinbefore entering the sleep mode, the light control unit enters a workmode when the voltage of the carry light signal is greater than thelow-level voltage.
 3. The carry-signal controlled LED light in claim 1,wherein after entering the sleep mode, the light control unit leaves thesleep mode when the voltage of the carry light signal is greater thanthe low-level voltage.
 4. The carry-signal controlled LED light in claim1, wherein the oscillator is coupled to the light control unit, whereinin the eco mode, the oscillator is configured to receive a controlsignal, and the oscillator is controlled by the control signal to be inan oscillation operation at low power.
 5. The carry-signal controlledLED light in claim 1, wherein the drive unit further comprises: a latchunit coupled between an input side and an output side inside the LEDlight, and an oscillator coupled to the light control unit and the latchunit, wherein in the eco mode, the latch unit and the oscillator areconfigured to receive a control signal, and the oscillator is controlledby the control signal to be disabled and the latch unit is controlled bythe control signal to be in a timing operation.
 6. The carry-signalcontrolled LED light in claim 4, wherein the drive unit furthercomprises: a current detection unit coupled to the light control unitand configured to produce the control signal.
 7. The carry-signalcontrolled LED light in claim 5, wherein the drive unit furthercomprises: a current detection unit coupled to the light control unitand configured to produce the control signal.
 8. The carry-signalcontrolled LED light in claim 5, wherein the latch unit is a chargingand discharging circuit with a resistor and a capacitor.
 9. Thecarry-signal controlled LED light in claim 5, wherein the latch unit isa timing circuit.
 10. The carry-signal controlled LED light in claim 1,wherein the drive unit further comprises: an address signal process unitcoupled to the light control unit and configured to memorize a lightaddress, the address signal process unit is configured to receive anaddress signal transmitted from the light control unit and compare theaddress signal with the light address; when the address signal matchesthe light address, the light control unit drives the at least one LEDaccording to the light command content of the carry light signal. 11.The carry-signal controlled LED light in claim 10, wherein the driveunit further comprises: an address burn unit coupled to the addresssignal process unit, wherein the carry light signal includes a burnstart signal and a burn address signal; when the address burn unit isconfigured to receive the burn start signal, the address burn unit isconfigured write the light address into the address signal process unitaccording to a burn command content of the burn address signal.
 12. Thecarry-signal controlled LED light in claim 6, wherein the drive unitfurther comprises: a discharge unit coupled to the current detectionunit; when the discharge unit is configured to receive the carry lightsignal transmitted from the current detection unit, the discharge unitis configured to start to discharge a DC working power.
 13. Thecarry-signal controlled LED light in claim 7, wherein the drive unitfurther comprises: a discharge unit coupled to the current detectionunit; when the discharge unit is configured to receive the carry lightsignal transmitted from the current detection unit, the discharge unitis configured to start to discharge a DC working power.
 14. Thecarry-signal controlled LED light in claim 5, wherein the drive unitfurther comprises: a power capacitor coupled to the light control unit,the latch unit, and the at least one LED.
 15. A carry-signal controlledLED light string, comprising: a power line, a controller coupled to thepower line, and at least one LED light, each LED light comprising: atleast one LED, and a drive unit coupled to the at least one LED, thedrive unit configured to receive a carry light signal including aplurality of pulse waves to control the at least one LED, the drive unitcomprising a light control unit and an oscillator, and the light controlunit configured to drive luminous behaviors of the at least one LEDaccording to a light command content of the carry light signal, whereinthe light command content is specific identified encoded contentcorresponding to the luminous behaviors, wherein when a voltage of thecarry light signal is less than a low-level voltage, the light controlunit entering an eco mode via turned off analog circuits with higherpower consumption which except the oscillator or related to theoscillator first, and the light control unit configured to detect andidentify signals within a time interval, wherein a time length of thetime interval is a plurality of clock cycles; after the time interval,the light control unit entering a sleep mode, wherein the LED light iscoupled to the controller through the power line, and is configured toreceive the DC working power and the carry light signal transmitted fromthe controller through the power line.
 16. The carry-signal controlledLED light string in claim 15, wherein the controller comprises: arectifier unit coupled to the power line and configured to provide theDC working power, a switch coupled to the power line and the at leastone LED light, and a control unit coupled to the rectifier unit and theswitch, wherein when the control unit is configured to turn on theswitch, the DC working power forms a power supply loop for the LED lightthrough the power line, wherein when the control unit is configured toproduce the carry light signal, the control unit is configured tocontinuously turn on and turn off the switch according to the lightcommand content of the carry light signal so that the DC working powerof the power line forms a plurality of a plurality of pulse waves to becombined into the carry light signal, and transmit the carry lightsignal to the LED light through the power line.
 17. The carry-signalcontrolled LED light string in claim 16, wherein the controller furthercomprises: a discharge circuit coupled to the power line and the controlunit, wherein when the switch is turned off, the controller isconfigured to drive the discharge circuit to receive the DC workingpower and to start discharging the DC working power.
 18. Thecarry-signal controlled LED light string in claim 16, wherein thecontroller further comprises: a voltage adjust capacitor coupled to thepower line, wherein when the switch is turned off, the voltage adjustcapacitor is configured to provide the DC working power to the at leastone LED light.